Thursday at Comic-Con: ‘New Moon!’ James Cameron! Tim Burton!

July 09, 2009 | 8:41 p.m.

So Thursday’s Comic-Con schedule, that’s July 23rd, has been released. In our effort to provide services for fanboy nation here at Hero Complex, we’ll spotlight some of the (likely) most popular panel activities to attend while down in sunny San Diego.

When you wake up after having slept at the convention center overnight Wednesday, may as well line up for Hall H and prepare for a long day. Why, you ask? Because that’s where the Summit Entertainment panel, featuring cast and crew from the newest “Twilight” installment “New Moon,” will be held at 2:15 p.m. Before that, Disney will have a cool 3D panel at 11, and the man himself, James Cameron, will present “Avatar” at 12:45.

That’s not all you need to know, of course. There are some interesting panels featuring “Astro-Boy,” Richard Hatch, Kristen Bell, Michael C. Hall and more. You’ll do your own planning, but here’s some of our highlights for the day (using the descriptions available from Comic-Con’s online listing):

10:15-11:15 a.m., Summit Entertainment: “Astro Boy” — A superhero origin story set in a futuristic world, “Astro Boy” is an all-new CG-animated feature film based on the classic manga about a young robot with incredible powers and his adventure-filled journey in search of his identity and destiny. Director David Bowers, producer Maryanne Grager, and stars Freddie Highmore (Astro) and Kristen Bell (Cora) debut footage exclusive to Comic-Con 2009 and answer your questions about bringing this beloved hero to the big screen. Room 6BC

12:45-2 p.m., 20th Century Fox and James Cameron present “Avatar” — In this first public screening of footage in 3D from his much-anticipated action/adventure/fantasy, James Cameron, producer Jon Landau and cast members take you to a spectacular new world beyond imagination. Conceived 14 years ago and more than four years in the making, “Avatar” breaks new ground in delivering a fully immersive, emotional story and reinvents the movie-going experience. Hall H

3:45-4:45 p.m., Entertainment Weekly: Wonder Women: Female Power Icons in Pop Culture — EW will moderate a conversation with Sigourney Weaver (“Avatar”), Elizabeth Mitchell (“Lost”), Kristen Bell (“Veronica Mars”), and other stars about the actresses who have redefined the rules and the female characters that have shattered the glass ceiling for all women. Basically: a discussion with women who kick ass. Ballroom 20

4:30-5:30 p.m., The Best and Worst Manga of 2008–2009 — What was the best, worst and weirdest manga published in the last year? Sparks will fly as manga critics Deb Aoki (manga.about.com), Kai-Ming Cha (Publishers Weekly), Ed Chavez (marketing director, Vertical Inc.), Gia Manry (Anime Vice), Tom Spurgeon (The Comics Reporter), Jason Thompson (Manga: The Complete Guide), and Eva Volin (chair, Great Graphic Novels for Teens) give the thumbs up and thumbs down in this “Manga State of the Union Address.” It’s Siskel & Ebert, Overlooked Manga Festival, and a manga celebrity roast all in one! Room 3

5-6 p.m., Showtime: “Dexter” — Calling all “Dexter” fans! If you’re a “Dexter” fanatic and can’t wait for the new season, you don’t want to miss this killer panel! Moderator Ralph Garman (KROQ Entertainment Reporter) presides over a revealing interview and Q&A session with the stars and executive producers of “Dexter.” Plus, get an exclusive first look at clips from the new season! Featured panelists include series star/executive producer Michael C. Hall (Dexter), Julie Benz (Rita), Jennifer Carpenter (Deb), and executive producers John Goldwyn, Sara Colleton, Clyde Phillips, and Melissa Rosenberg. The new season premieres September 27 at 9:00 p.m. EST/PST only on Showtime! Ballroom 20

5:45-6:45 p.m., “Kick-Ass” — World premiere footage from “Kick-Ass,” based on Mark Millar’s bestselling comic, is presented by director Matthew Vaughn (“Stardust,” “Layercake”). Joining him on the panel are Nicolas Cage, Christopher Mintz-Plasse (“Superbad”), and comic co-creator John Romita Jr., among others, including a surprise guest. You don’t want to miss the chance to be the first to experience this gritty, brash, and funny actioner. Hall H

8-10 p.m., Dr. Horrible’s Sing-along Blog — The California Browncoats host a screening of the original three acts, followed immediately by Commentary! The Musical. See why Joss Whedon’s (“Dollhouse,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”) first foray into webisodic “television” was the talk of the town with critics and fans alike in 2008. Be prepared for a night of singing and surprises hosted by the fans who know what you like best. “Dr. Horrible” stars Neil Patrick Harris (“How I Met Your Mother”), Nathan Fillion (“Castle,” “Firefly”), and Felicia Day (“The Guild”) and is written by Joss Whedon, Jed Whedon (“Dollhouse”), Zack Whedon (“Fringe”), and Maurissa Tancharoen (“Dollhouse”). Room 6A

9:30-noon,Halloween Comes Early: Trick ‘r Treat Screening — Be among the first to see writer/director Michael Dougherty’s (“Superman Returns,” “X2″) creepy, darkly comic celebration of the scariest night of the year. Trick ‘r Treat takes the “Creepshow”/”Tales from the Crypt” approach to nefarious new depths with four interwoven tales set on Halloween night: a high school principal who moonlights as a vicious serial killer; a young virgin whose quest for that special someone takes a gruesome turn; a group of teens who carry out a cruel prank with disastrous consequences; and a cantankerous old man who battles a mischievous trick-or-treating demon. Prior to the screening, Ain’t It Cool News mogul Harry Knowles will moderate a panel featuring Michael Dougherty and members of the cast, including Anna Paquin (“True Blood,” “X-Men)”, Tahmoh Penikett (“Battlestar Galactica,” “Dollhouse”), and Brian Cox (“The Bourne Identity,” “X2″). A collection of creepy stories that mixes fun with fear, candy with poison, and laughter with screams, the critically acclaimed Trick ‘r Treat will be released on Blu-ray Hi-Def and DVD and On Demand by Warner Home Video in October. Ballroom 20

Comments

It appears that Hollywood has officially crashed the party. What was once a great collection of comic book fans and creators, meeting up to discuss the medium they love, has been taken over by movie companies, television networks and video game makers. Sad, I wish we could have a comic book convention that was actually about comic books.